Parents of well dressed kids - tell me your secrets!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No claims to chic perfectionism here. However, these are my fashion guidelines for my kids:


1. Rock-n-roll haircut that is kind to messy hair -- a bit of follicular muss adds to the "hipness" of the look. Godsend for making a messy kid look more intentional. Also helps that we live in the PNW where this kind of look is considered cool and normal rather than counter-cultural.

2. Several really good and durable basics that you can layer layer layer. I don't mind spending a little more $$ on pants that otherwise would get scuffed and ripped. Again, we tend to go for "cool" rather than precious. For this, www.peekkids.com or www.zarakids.com . To layer with less expensive options, we go for H&M and sometimes Gap. Sequins are the t-shirt embellishment of choice for my preschool and almost third grade girls--layer, layer, layer: leggings + skirt; long sleeve shirt under short sleeved T; dress + blazer. That sort of thing.

3. Let your kid mix and match wacky patterns that make your eyes bleed. They're young: they make it work. Funny how "wearing all my favorite things at once" can make a great statement when you're ages 4-10. Hell, it works for women in their 60s too: Think Betsey Johnson!

I've read all the responses so far, and this is the first person who actually sounds like she dresses her kids well (or helps them to dress well). And, of course, PP doesn't actually live in DC. The rest of these responses are explanations for how to dress your kid like an uptight, nerdy prep. No thank you. PP -- your kids sound cool. They would definitely stand out in DC (in a good way, IMO).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I posted about this a couple weeks ago. I end up getting a hodge podge of clothes on sale, and they never go together. DD starts K this year and I'd like her to look a bit more put together. My plan is to go to a store, maybe Hanna Andersson, and buy 3-4 sets of clothes that will mix and match. Then go to another, maybe less expensive store like Old Navy, and do the same. Add in a few dresses and a couple pairs of shoes, and hopefully we'll be set.

This is what we do. A few Hanna outfits plus a few less expensive things. I try to keep their shoes looking decent - they get worn out so quickly!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I posted about this a couple weeks ago. I end up getting a hodge podge of clothes on sale, and they never go together. DD starts K this year and I'd like her to look a bit more put together. My plan is to go to a store, maybe Hanna Andersson, and buy 3-4 sets of clothes that will mix and match. Then go to another, maybe less expensive store like Old Navy, and do the same. Add in a few dresses and a couple pairs of shoes, and hopefully we'll be set.

This is what we do. A few Hanna outfits plus a few less expensive things. I try to keep their shoes looking decent - they get worn out so quickly!

You have to buy from the same store or brand/family, or if you buy a patterned bottom you need a solid top (or vice versa). Your plan for this year should be fine. My kids wore Gymboree for a while because I could get it dirt cheap and mix and match years/themes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No claims to chic perfectionism here. However, these are my fashion guidelines for my kids:


1. Rock-n-roll haircut that is kind to messy hair -- a bit of follicular muss adds to the "hipness" of the look. Godsend for making a messy kid look more intentional. Also helps that we live in the PNW where this kind of look is considered cool and normal rather than counter-cultural.

2. Several really good and durable basics that you can layer layer layer. I don't mind spending a little more $$ on pants that otherwise would get scuffed and ripped. Again, we tend to go for "cool" rather than precious. For this, www.peekkids.com or www.zarakids.com . To layer with less expensive options, we go for H&M and sometimes Gap. Sequins are the t-shirt embellishment of choice for my preschool and almost third grade girls--layer, layer, layer: leggings + skirt; long sleeve shirt under short sleeved T; dress + blazer. That sort of thing.

3. Let your kid mix and match wacky patterns that make your eyes bleed. They're young: they make it work. Funny how "wearing all my favorite things at once" can make a great statement when you're ages 4-10. Hell, it works for women in their 60s too: Think Betsey Johnson!

I've read all the responses so far, and this is the first person who actually sounds like she dresses her kids well (or helps them to dress well). And, of course, PP doesn't actually live in DC. The rest of these responses are explanations for how to dress your kid like an uptight, nerdy prep. No thank you. PP -- your kids sound cool. They would definitely stand out in DC (in a good way, IMO).

Good God -just no.

"Wacky patterns" is just code for messy and crappy looking.
Nothing worse then seeing a well dressed mom out with her "wacky" dressed kid. It's like saying you just couldn't be bothered to spend 5 minutes on your kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No claims to chic perfectionism here. However, these are my fashion guidelines for my kids:


1. Rock-n-roll haircut that is kind to messy hair -- a bit of follicular muss adds to the "hipness" of the look. Godsend for making a messy kid look more intentional. Also helps that we live in the PNW where this kind of look is considered cool and normal rather than counter-cultural.

2. Several really good and durable basics that you can layer layer layer. I don't mind spending a little more $$ on pants that otherwise would get scuffed and ripped. Again, we tend to go for "cool" rather than precious. For this, www.peekkids.com or www.zarakids.com . To layer with less expensive options, we go for H&M and sometimes Gap. Sequins are the t-shirt embellishment of choice for my preschool and almost third grade girls--layer, layer, layer: leggings + skirt; long sleeve shirt under short sleeved T; dress + blazer. That sort of thing.

3. Let your kid mix and match wacky patterns that make your eyes bleed. They're young: they make it work. Funny how "wearing all my favorite things at once" can make a great statement when you're ages 4-10. Hell, it works for women in their 60s too: Think Betsey Johnson!

I've read all the responses so far, and this is the first person who actually sounds like she dresses her kids well (or helps them to dress well). And, of course, PP doesn't actually live in DC. The rest of these responses are explanations for how to dress your kid like an uptight, nerdy prep. No thank you. PP -- your kids sound cool. They would definitely stand out in DC (in a good way, IMO).

Good God -just no.

"Wacky patterns" is just code for messy and crappy looking.
Nothing worse then seeing a well dressed mom out with her "wacky" dressed kid. It's like saying you just couldn't be bothered to spend 5 minutes on your kid.

This would be me. I think like you for a second, then realize that my child is perfectly and completely happy in that outfit and I change my mind. It's actually freeing. We both get independence.

[Anonymous]

Boys 7 and 10. Very athletic.

All the boys wear sports jerseys and shorts or sweat pants.

If mine wore the Lacoste polos and khakis in their closet --they'd get heckled.

They clean up nice when we go out to dinner, Holidays, school pics, visiting relatives. Otherwise- they dress for rolling in the mud and soccer/football at recess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where do all these boys live who wear khaki shorts and collared shirts to school every day? At our NWDC private every, single boy (10 year olds) wears athletic shorts/pants every single day.

+1.

DS is only 5, but for the past year he's had VERY strong opinion on wearing athletic pants -- no jeans, no khakis. He also only wants to wear sports team shirts, preferably ones made to look like uniforms. He'll then often pair the shirt with bottoms in the same color, since that's how the team uniforms look (even if the color shades are off a bit; that doesn't seem to bother him). Most of it needs to be bought online and the sizing is all over the map, so his clothes often run a bit big.

I'd love to be able to dress him more, but he really enjoys wearing all the team stuff. I figure there are so few things that he gets to choose in his life, he should be able to have this one (so long as it's weather and venue appropriate).

[Anonymous]

My kids dress themselves 362 days a year -Christmas, thanksgiving & Easter I pick their clothes. As long as it's clean, unstained and weather appropriate, it's fine. They look great to me!

[Anonymous]

My 5 yo dd gets a lot of compliments on her clothes. (Which gives me mixed feelings about liking dressing her well but not wanting that to be what people remember about her, but that's off topic.)

For her, I picked things that seemed to suit her as I know her and in colors that would complement her tone and cuts that complement her shape. She prefers wearing dresses, so I get her only dresses but with leggings for school days. She doesn't have a ton of clothes, but the ones she does have tend to look quite old-fashioned - no waist cotton dresses in solid colors or simple prints, sailor dresses, eyelet lace, with a few frilly pieces in there too like a peach tulle dress that has withstood paint, playgrounds, etc. These days she likes to mix it up on her own and will wear something like a punk rock souveneir tshirt with a tutu. I haven't made it a focus of our time or anything - we tend to be an artistic family and it makes us happy to be in clothes that reflect our aesthetic. I get most of her stuff on zulily and etsy. Love the mix there and have never needed anything so urgently that the wait was a problem.

But I don't think that would be every kid's look though. I think that for people who are interested in how their kids look in clothes, the best thing to do is dress for that child's personality and coloring. I hate preppy clothes on myself and look like a ghoul in yellow, but they look great on other people. I think it's hard to apply a general look to all people - thank goodness there are choices to suit everyone!

[Anonymous]

My son has red hair so I choose certain colors that look really good on him but I let him choose his own outfits, even if it means two different plaids and a safari hat. He enjoys picking them out and I like seeing his combinations.

[Anonymous]

My son is still young, so I'm still doing the choosing. But is there any escape from the athletic clothes phase? I really, really hate that look. I know, I know, so superficial of me.

But, really, has anyone escaped without major strife? My own mom was really old school about clothing, and while I dress my child well, I don't have issues with untucked shirts or rumpled shorts (as long as they don't look like they've been wadded up). I'm certainly not ironing cargo shorts. Ha.

We do a lot of good quality basics that are easily mixed and matched -- mostly hanna, boden, ralph lauren and gap in red, blues, green and yellow. No characters, the only random stuff tends to be tourist tees that get worn to camp or to the playground.

I receive a lot of compliments and a little bit of snark. I do wonder at what age (on average) boys tend to really prefer the sporty stuff if that hasn't been a wardrobe staple all along? (trying to prepare myself)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is still young, so I'm still doing the choosing. But is there any escape from the athletic clothes phase? I really, really hate that look. I know, I know, so superficial of me.

But, really, has anyone escaped without major strife? My own mom was really old school about clothing, and while I dress my child well, I don't have issues with untucked shirts or rumpled shorts (as long as they don't look like they've been wadded up). I'm certainly not ironing cargo shorts. Ha.

We do a lot of good quality basics that are easily mixed and matched -- mostly hanna, boden, ralph lauren and gap in red, blues, green and yellow. No characters, the only random stuff tends to be tourist tees that get worn to camp or to the playground.

I receive a lot of compliments and a little bit of snark. I do wonder at what age (on average) boys tend to really prefer the sporty stuff if that hasn't been a wardrobe staple all along? (trying to prepare myself)

Our taste sounds very similar and I'm wondering the same thing. I get a lot of compliments on how we dress our toddler/preschool boys. I avoid cargo shorts, athletic clothes, and flashy character clothes and shoes. I still shop Carters, Target, and Gap for simple, solid color basics and supplement from the brands you've mentioned (lots of consignment). I like primary colors and avoid black and neon. The irony is mom my hated frilly girl clothes and the styles of the 80s so she dressed me and my brother in classic clothes and I hated it...so I'm anticipating the need to find a middle ground between what I like on my kids and what they'll eventually insist on wearing. I don't like all the Under Armour and Nike I see on elementary aged boys! (I guess we all really do turn into our mothers eventually.)

[Anonymous]

I think the athletic clothing will be hard to avoid once they start needing it for sports. My son has one pair of athletic shorts and he wants to wear them everyday. I do have a couple of terry and sweatshirt material shorts which look nicer while still being comfortable.

[Anonymous]

One thing that helped me was to have an absolute minimum of athletic/sweatpants-type stuff around. I do not allow sweatpants outside the house. If you're going outside, you must wear shorts or pants. I think that alone elevates my son's look to the point of stylish

[Anonymous]

I also dislike the athletic shorts look. Most of the boys in DD's pre-k class seem to wear them most days.

2 year old DS does not yet own any...he will actually ask to wear jeans, strangely enough. But maybe once he gets older this will change as he starts to notice what the other boys are wearing.